The Translator

by Leila Aboulela

A cross-cultural love story with contrasts demonstrated in both characters and places. Written in a calm, thoughtful style but with an unpredictable ending, it left my mind buzzing long after I finished reading.

Extract

It was part of her remit to work for other departments if they needed her. This was how she met Rae when he sent her articles from Arab newspapers, in the aftermath of the Gulf War. The first time she went to see him, he surprised her by not being rushed for time, not distracted by other things ... he told her about the time he lived in North Africa and asked her about her name, an unusual name ....

People spoke about him: his students, his secretary, Yasmin. It was through him that Sammar met Yasmin.